JP2014027835A - Protector and manufacturing method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inhibit backlashes caused when protector portions are integrated.SOLUTION: A protector 20 includes: a first protector portion 30 which may house a part of a wire harness; and a second protector portion 40 which may house another part of the wire harness. A hole 36 is provided at the first protector portion 30, and a protruding part 46 is provided in the second protector portion 40 being fitted into the hole 36. The first protector portion 30 and the second protector portion 40 are integrated with each other in a state where a tip side portion 48 of the protruding part 46 is melted and cured while being engaged with a peripheral part of the hole 36.

Description

  The present invention relates to a protector for protecting a wire harness.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose protectors that protect a wire harness.

JP 2008-148499 A JP 2011-138461 A

  By the way, in order to protect more parts of the wire harness with the protector, it is necessary to lengthen or deepen the protector, which increases the size of the protector. Moreover, it is necessary to form a protector in the shape bent along the arrangement | positioning path | route of a wire harness, and the shape of a protector becomes complicated.

  In order to manufacture a protector having a large or complicated shape as described above, it is necessary to use a mold apparatus using a slide mold, which causes an increase in equipment costs and component costs. In addition, the transportation efficiency is lowered and the transportation cost is increased.

  In order to solve the above, it is conceivable that the protector has a plurality of divided structures. In this case, as a structure for maintaining the unity of the divided protectors, for example, a lock structure that elastically locks in a state in which the protruding portion is retained in the hole portion can be considered. However, with such a lock structure, there is a possibility that rattling may occur between the divided protectors.

  Then, an object of this invention is to suppress the shakiness at the time of uniting a protector part.

  In order to solve the above problem, a protector according to a first aspect includes a first protector portion that can accommodate a part of a wire harness and a second protector portion that can accommodate another part of the wire harness. The first protector part is provided with a hole, the second protector part is provided with a protrusion fitted into the hole, and the tip of the protrusion fitted into the hole is melted. The first protector portion and the second protector portion are combined with each other in a state where the peripheral portion of the hole is locked and cured.

  A 2nd aspect is a protector which concerns on a 1st aspect, Comprising: The said hole part is spaced apart in the part of the said 1st protector part around the said hole part, and the said protrusion part protrudes. An annular projecting portion that is open and surrounded is provided.

  A 3rd aspect is a protector which concerns on a 2nd aspect, Comprising: The protrusion height of the part which fuse | melted and hardened | cured among the said protrusion parts is lower than the protrusion height of the said annular protrusion part.

  A 4th aspect is a protector which concerns on a 2nd or 3rd aspect, Comprising: The said cyclic | annular protrusion part is formed in the circular ring shape.

  A 5th aspect is a protector which concerns on any one aspect of the 2nd-4th, Comprising: At least one of the front end side inner periphery part of the said cyclic | annular protrusion part and a front end side outer periphery part is formed in the curved shape. Has been.

  A sixth aspect is the protector according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein a positioning recess for positioning a tool for melting the tip is formed in the protrusion. .

  The manufacturing method of the protector according to the seventh aspect includes (a) a step of inserting a protrusion provided in the second protector part into a hole provided in the first protector part, and (b) in the hole part. Melting the tip of the inserted projection and bringing it into contact with the periphery of the hole; and (c) curing the tip of the projection in contact with the periphery of the hole. And comprising.

  According to the protector which concerns on a 1st aspect, in the state which the 1st protector part and the 2nd protector part united, the front-end | tip part of the projection part fitted by the hole part melt | dissolves, and it latches on the peripheral part of a hole part. Therefore, rattling between the first protector portion and the second protector portion is suppressed.

  According to the 2nd aspect, the part which melt | dissolved and hardened among the projection parts can be stored in an annular projection part, and it can be made difficult to contact with other components.

  According to the 3rd aspect, the part which melt | dissolved and hardened | cured among the projection parts can be made harder to contact with other components.

  According to the 4th aspect, the cyclic | annular protrusion part formed in the circular cyclic | annular form does not affect other members easily.

  According to the 5th aspect, since at least one of the front end side inner peripheral edge part and the front end side outer peripheral edge part of the annular protrusion is formed in a curved shape, it does not easily affect other members.

  According to the 6th aspect, when melting the front-end | tip part of a projection part, the position of a tool can be stabilized and the shape after hardening of the front-end | tip part of a projection part is stabilized.

  According to the 7th aspect, since the front-end | tip part of the protrusion part penetrated by the hole is fuse | melted and it hardens | cures in the state which contacted the peripheral part of the hole, it is between a 1st protector part and a 2nd protector part. Shaking is suppressed.

It is a perspective view which shows the protector which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows a protector same as the above. It is a top view which shows the united part of a 1st protector part and a 2nd protector part. It is the IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows union work. It is explanatory drawing which shows union work. It is explanatory drawing which shows union work.

  Hereinafter, the protector according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the protector 20, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the protector 20.

  The protector 20 is a member that is externally mounted on the wire harness 10 along a predetermined wiring path in the vehicle.

  Here, the wire harness 10 is a wiring material including at least one electric wire. In many cases, the wire harness 10 is configured such that a plurality of electric wires are bound while being bent and branched. Such a wire harness 10 is disposed in a vehicle, and a connector at an end thereof is connected to various electric devices mounted on the vehicle. Thereby, the various electric devices are electrically connected through the wire harness 10.

  This protector 20 is formed in the shape along the wiring path | route of the part used as protection object among this wire harness 10. FIG. The protector 20 accommodates at least a part of the wire harness 10 so that the path of the wire harness 10 is restricted and protected. Here, the protector 20 is demonstrated by the example which accommodates the part extended linearly among the wire harnesses 10. FIG. However, the protector 20 may be configured to accommodate a bent portion, a branched portion, or a composite form portion of the wire harness 10. In these cases, the protector 20 is formed into a bent shape, a branched shape, or a composite shape thereof according to the form of the wire harness 10.

  The protector 20 includes a first protector portion 30 and a second protector portion 40. The wire harness 10 is housed inside the connected first protector portion 30 and second protector portion 40. A cover may be attached to the opening of the protector 20 opposite to the bottom.

  The 1st protector part 30 is formed with resin etc., and is formed in the shape which can accommodate a part of wire harness 10. FIG. Here, the first protector portion 30 includes a bottom plate portion 32 and a pair of side wall portions 34 rising on both side portions of the bottom plate portion 32. The first protector portion 30 opens on both ends in the longitudinal direction and opens on the side opposite to the bottom plate portion 32.

  The 2nd protector part 40 is formed with resin etc., and is formed in the shape which can accommodate a part of wire harness 10. FIG. Here, the second protector portion 40 includes a bottom plate portion 42 and a pair of side wall portions 44 rising on both side portions of the bottom plate portion 42. The second protector portion 40 opens to both ends in the longitudinal direction and opens to the side opposite to the bottom plate portion 42.

  At least a part of the first protector part 30 and at least a part of the second protector part 40 are configured so as to be superposed.

  Here, the shape and size of the outer peripheral portion of the first protector portion 30 are set so as to be disposed on the inner peripheral portion of the second protector portion 40. More specifically, the width dimension between the outer surfaces of the first protector portion 30 and the pair of side wall portions 34 is set to be the same as the width dimension between the outer surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 44 of the second protector portion 40. . Further, the height dimension of the outer surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 34 of the first protector portion 30 is set to be the same as the height dimension of the inner surfaces of the pair of side wall portions 44 of the second protector portion 40. And by accommodating one end part of the 1st protector part 30 in one end part of the 2nd protector part 40, the accommodation space of the 1st protector part 30 and the accommodation space of the 2nd protector part 40 continue. The 1st protector part 30 and the 2nd protector part 40 are united. In this state, the bottom plate portion 32 at one end of the first protector portion 30 and the pair of side wall portions 34 are superimposed on the inside of the bottom plate portion 42 and the pair of side wall portions 44 at one end of the second protector portion 40. Established.

  A configuration for maintaining the first protector portion 30 and the second protector portion 40 in the combined state will be described. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a combined portion of the first protector portion 30 and the second protector portion 40, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a hole 36 is formed in an overlapping portion of the first protector portion 30 with the second protector portion 40, and the first protector portion 30 of the second protector portion 40 is formed with the first protector portion 30. A protrusion 46 is formed in the overlapping portion.

  Here, at least one hole 36 is formed in the bottom plate portion 32 at one end of the first protector portion 30. Here, four holes 36 are formed in the bottom plate portion 32 at one end of the first protector portion 30. The four holes 36 include two holes 36 formed at intervals in the width direction of the bottom plate portion 32 and two holes 36 formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate portion 32. . That is, the four hole portions 36 are provided at positions where the four vertices of the rhombus are formed.

  Further, at least one (here, four) protrusions 46 are formed on the bottom plate portion 32 at one end of the second protector portion 40. Each protrusion 46 is formed at a position corresponding to each hole 36 in a state where the bottom plate portion 32 of the first protector portion 30 and the bottom plate portion 42 of the second protector portion 40 are overlapped. And the 1st protector part 30 and the 2nd protector part 40 can be united in the state which inserted each projection part 46 in each hole 36 simultaneously.

  The protrusion 46 is formed in a shape that can be fitted into the hole 36 and maintain the fitted state. More specifically, the outer diameter of the proximal portion 47 of the protrusion 46 is set to be the same as the inner diameter of the hole 36 so that it can be disposed in the hole 36 without rattling. Yes. The tip end portion 48 protruding from the bottom plate portion 32 of the projection 46 is melted and spreads on the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 32 to the peripheral portion of the hole 36 and is cured in a state of being locked to the peripheral portion. Yes. In this state, the bottom plate portion 32 is sandwiched between the bottom plate portion 42 and the distal end side portion 48 of the protrusion 46 at the peripheral edge of the hole 36, and in the protruding direction of the protrusion 46. Shaking is suppressed.

  In addition, it is preferable that the outer peripheral part of the front end side part 48 is formed in the shape which curves. In addition, an extra portion (also referred to as a burr) 48a that protrudes at the time of melting may occur in the peripheral portion of the tip side portion 48. Further, the projection 46 is formed with a positioning recess 46h for positioning a tool 60 for melting the tip side portion 48 thereof. This will be described in detail later.

  Each protrusion 46. In the same manner as above, it is fitted and fixed in the corresponding hole 36. Thereby, the 1st protector part 30 and the 2nd protector part 40 are maintained by the united state.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the protrusions 46 are fitted and fixed in the corresponding hole portions 36 at two positions spaced in the width direction of the bottom plate portions 32 and 42. For this reason, even if the force which twists with respect to the 1st protector part 30 and the 2nd protector part 40 acted, it can fully endure the said force.

  In addition, the protrusions 46 are fitted and fixed in the corresponding hole portions 36 at two positions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the bottom plate portions 32 and 42. For this reason, even if the force which bends the bottom-plate parts 32 and 42 acts with respect to the 1st protector part 30 and the 2nd protector part 40, it can fully endure the said force.

  In addition, an annular protrusion that surrounds the hole 36 with a gap in the portion of the first protector portion 30 that is around the hole 36 and from which the protrusion 46 protrudes (the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 32). 38 is formed. That is, the inner diameter dimension of the annular protrusion 38 is set larger than the inner diameter dimension of the hole 36. The tip side portion 48 is melted and hardened between the peripheral edge of the hole 36 and the annular protrusion 38. It is not essential that the annular protrusion 38 is present.

  Here, the annular protrusion 38 is formed in a circular shape. However, the annular protrusion 38 may be formed in an elliptical ring shape, a polygonal ring shape, or the like.

  The protrusion height dimension H1 of the tip side portion 48 melted and hardened in the protrusion 46 is smaller than the protrusion height dimension H2 of the annular protrusion 38 with respect to the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 42. Is preferred.

  Moreover, the front end side inner peripheral edge part and the front end side outer peripheral edge part of the annular protrusion 38 are formed in a curved shape. That is, when the annular protrusion 38 is observed in a cross section along the radial direction, the annular protrusion 38 is formed in a shape that is curved so as to protrude outward, that is, in an arc shape here.

  It is not essential that both the front end side inner peripheral edge and the front end side outer peripheral edge of the annular protrusion 38 are curved, and only one of the front end inner peripheral edge and the front end outer peripheral edge of the annular protrusion 38 is provided. It may be curved. Moreover, it is not essential that the front end side inner peripheral edge part and the front end side outer peripheral edge part of the annular protrusion 38 are curved, and these may be angular.

  A method for manufacturing the protector 20 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 46 </ b> A provided on the second protector portion 40 is inserted from the outside of the bottom plate portion 32 into the hole portion 36 provided on the first protector portion 30, so that the first protector is provided. The part 30 and the second protector part 40 are connected.

  The protrusion dimension of the protrusion 46A before melting is larger than the protrusion dimension of the protrusion 46 after melting and curing. A positioning recess 46h is formed at the center of the tip end portion of the protrusion 46A. The positioning recess 46h may penetrate the proximal end side of the protrusion 46A or may be closed on the proximal end side.

  In this state, the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 42 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the bottom plate portion 32, and the tip end portion of the protrusion 46 </ b> A is greatly projected toward the inner surface side of the bottom plate portion 32.

  Next, the tip of the protrusion 46A inserted through the hole 36 is melted and brought into contact with the peripheral edge of the hole 36. At this time, an ultrasonic welding tool 60 as described below may be used. That is, the ultrasonic welding tool 60 includes a vibrator that generates ultrasonic vibrations, a horn 62 that transmits the ultrasonic vibrations to a workpiece, and the like. The tip of the horn 62 is formed in a round bar shape. It is preferable that the outer diameter of the tip of the horn 62 is set to be the same as the inner diameter of the annular protrusion 38. An annular recess 63 is formed at the tip of the horn 62. Here, the annular recess 63 is formed in a curved U-shaped groove. The outer diameter dimension of the annular recess 63 is set to be the same as the outer diameter dimension of the tip side portion 48, and the inner diameter dimension of the annular recess 63 is set to be the same as the positioning recess 46h but smaller (slightly smaller) than that. Has been. Further, the depth dimension of the annular recess 63 is set to be the same as the protruding dimension of the tip side portion 48 after the melt hardening. The distal end side portion 48 is cured with a size and shape corresponding to the annular recess 63.

  An outer peripheral portion of the annular recess 63 in the tip portion of the horn 62 is formed on a circular annular flat surface 64. In addition, a portion of the tip end portion of the horn 62 on the inner peripheral side of the annular recess 63 is formed on a guide projection 65 that can be inserted into the positioning recess 46h.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the guide protrusion 65 of the horn 62 of the ultrasonic welding tool 60 is inserted into the positioning recess 46h, and the inner surface of the annular recess 63 is pressed against the tip of the protrusion 46A.

  Then, ultrasonic vibration energy is converted into heat energy at the contact portion between the horn 62 and the protrusion 46A, and the tip of the protrusion 46A melts. The melted portion of the tip of the projection 46A is filled in the annular projection 38 and at the peripheral edge of the hole 36, between the inner surface of the bottom plate 32 and the annular recess 63 at the tip of the horn 62. . At this time, since the guide protrusion 65 at the tip of the horn 62 is inserted into the positioning recess 46h, the displacement of the horn 62 is suppressed. Note that the melt also flows into the positioning recess 46h.

  When the tip of the projection 46A is melted to some extent, the outer periphery of the horn 62 is fitted into the annular projection 38, and the displacement of the horn 62 is more reliably suppressed. In the horn 62, energy concentrates on the annular recess 63 and the annular projection 38 is difficult to melt.

  Then, when the horn 62 is lifted upward with the tip end portion of the projection 46A being melted until the surface 64 on the tip end side of the horn 62 contacts the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 32, or vibration energy is applied. Is stopped, the melted portion of the tip of the projection 46A is cured in the annular projection 38 and at the peripheral edge of the hole 36 in contact with the inner surface of the bottom plate 32. Thereby, the protrusion 46 is formed. At this time, if a part of the melted portion of the tip portion of the protrusion 46 flows between the surface 64 on the tip side of the horn 62 and the bottom plate portion 32, the extra portion (burr) 48 a is generated.

  According to the protector 20 configured as described above, in the state in which the first protector portion 30 and the second protector portion 40 are combined, the distal end side portion 48 of the protrusion 46 fitted in the hole portion 36 is melted to form a hole. It hardens in a state of being locked to the peripheral edge of the portion 36. For this reason, rattling between the 1st protector part 30 and the 2nd protector part 40 is suppressed effectively. As described above, the backlash between the first protector portion 30 and the second protector portion 40 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to manufacture the protector 20 with high accuracy and reduce the mounting tolerance when the protector 20 is mounted on the vehicle body. It is also possible.

  Moreover, since the 1st protector part 30 and the 2nd protector part 40 can be mold-molded separately, simplification of a mold structure and reduction of parts production cost by this etc. can be aimed at. In addition, since the transportation can be performed without combining the first protector portion 30 and the second protector portion 40, the transportation cost can be reduced.

  In the above, the ultrasonic welding tool 60 is used in order to melt the tip side portion 48 of the protrusion 46, but in addition, heat generated by a heater or the like is applied to the tip of the protrusion 46 so that the tip May be melted.

  Further, since the tip side portion 48 melted and hardened in the projection portion 46 is surrounded by the annular projection portion 38, the tip side portion 48 is another component (for example, a wire harness accommodated in the protector 20). 10) can be made difficult to contact.

  In particular, the tip side portion 48 obtained by melting and curing the protrusion 46 is likely to be disturbed in shape and difficult to maintain a smooth shape. Therefore, it can be said that it is preferable to suppress contact with other parts by accommodating such a tip side portion 48 in the annular protrusion 38.

  Further, the annular protrusion 38 also has a role of accommodating the ultrasonic welding tool 60 within a predetermined position. In particular, since the ultrasonic welding tool 60 is likely to be displaced due to vibration, it can be said that there is a great merit that the ultrasonic welding tool 60 can be accommodated in a predetermined position.

  Moreover, since the tip side portion 48 of the projection 46 is lower than the annular projection 38, the tip side portion 48 can be made more difficult to contact with other parts.

  Furthermore, since the annular protrusion 38 is formed in a circular annular shape, even if the annular protrusion 38 itself contacts other parts (wire harness) or the like, it is difficult to affect.

  In addition, since at least one of the tip side inner peripheral edge and the tip side outer peripheral edge of the annular protrusion 38 is formed in a curved shape, the annular protrusion 38 itself is another component (wire harness). ) Etc., it is difficult to affect.

  In particular, if the inner peripheral edge on the tip side of the annular protrusion 38 is formed in a curved shape, the horn 62 is smoothly guided into the annular protrusion 38 when the horn 62 is fitted into the annular protrusion 38. The For this reason, the melting operation by the horn 62 can be performed smoothly.

  Further, since the positioning recesses 46h are formed in the projections 46A and 46, the position of the tool 60 can be stabilized when the tip of the projection 46A is melted, and the tip of the projection 46 can be stabilized. The shape after curing is stabilized.

  In the above embodiment, the first protector portion 30 and the second protector portion 40 are maintained in the combined state only by the configuration in which the protrusions 46 are welded, but other lock structures and the like are provided. Also good.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated in the example which comprises the protector 20 by the 1st protector part 30 and the 2nd protector part 40, the structure by which one or more other protector parts unite | combine may be sufficient. As for the combined structure of the other protector part and the first protector part 30 or the second protector part 40, etc., a structure in which the protrusions are welded may be used in the same manner as described above, or other lock structures may be used. Also good.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated in the example which connects the baseplate parts 32 and 42, instead of or in addition to this connection location, side plate parts may be connected. But when connecting the baseplate parts 32 and 42, since melting operation | work can be implemented in the protector 20 through the opening of the other side, it is convenient. Although the fusion | melting location of a projection part may be provided in the outer surface of a protector, it is preferable on an external appearance that it exists in the inner surface of a protector like the said embodiment.

  As described above, the present invention has been described in detail. However, the above description is illustrative in all aspects, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variations that are not illustrated can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wire harness 20 Protector 30 1st protector part 32 Bottom plate part 36 Hole part 38 Annular projection part 40 2nd protector part 42 Bottom plate part 46, 46A Protrusion part 46h Positioning recessed part 48 Tip side part 60 Ultrasonic welding tool 62 Horn

Claims (7)

A first protector part capable of accommodating a part of the wire harness;
A second protector part capable of accommodating another part of the wire harness;
With
The first protector part is provided with a hole, and the second protector part is provided with a protrusion fitted into the hole,
The first protector part and the second protector part are united in a state where the tip part of the projection part fitted in the hole part is melted and locked to the peripheral part of the hole part and cured. , Protector. The protector according to claim 1, wherein
The protector which the annular projection part which surrounds the said hole part at intervals is provided in the part of the said 1st protector part around the said hole part, and the said protrusion part protrudes. The protector according to claim 2, wherein
The protector which the protrusion height of the part melt | dissolved and hardened among the said protrusion parts is lower than the protrusion height of the said annular protrusion part. The protector according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The annular protrusion is a protector formed in a circular ring shape. A protector according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein
The protector which is formed in the shape where at least one of the front end side inner periphery part of the said cyclic | annular protrusion part and a front end side outer periphery part curves. It is a protector as described in any one of Claims 1-5, Comprising:
The protector in which the positioning recessed part for positioning the tool for melting the front-end | tip part is formed in the said projection part. (A) inserting the protrusion provided in the second protector part into the hole provided in the first protector part;
(B) melting the tip of the projection inserted through the hole and bringing it into contact with the peripheral edge of the hole;
(C) a step of curing the tip portion of the protrusion in contact with the peripheral edge of the hole;
The manufacturing method of a protector provided with.

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